Phoenix doesn't think so. He is sixth in average ice time amongst their dmen. A little more than 16 minutes a game. I'm intrigued because of the reputation, but why has he fallen so far out of favor with Gretzky?

Phoenix doesn't think so. He is sixth in average ice time amongst their dmen. A little more than 16 minutes a game. I'm intrigued because of the reputation, but why has he fallen so far out of favor with Gretzky?

Most other team's #6 dman are better than our top 4. It's the weakest position on our team....thats why we need an upgrade so badly.

Mad City Mike wrote:I apologize if I missed it in this long thread, but the Globe & Mail says it is Welch going the other way. I had seen his name mentioned, but I don't think it was sourced. If so, I apologize.

Yea it has Mike, but this thread is going like wildfire, I got it off PSI & then another poster got it from somewhere else Hope you're feeling better

Last edited by Guins on Mon Feb 26, 2007 5:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

RxBandit66 wrote:Roberts would be F*&king CRAAAAZZZZZYYY to not want to play with Sid!

He may want to go to Buffalo or Ottawa, but I can't see why he would think the Leafs are going to even make the playoffs at all.

His best chance to make the playoffs may not be with the Pens, but it way better than the chances in Florida if he stays or in Toronto if he did go there. His best chance to have the largest impact and thus increase his value for next year would be here. He can still score, and would be 100% more effective on Sid's line than Malone.

If Malone stayed, he'd be great on the third line and could actually EXCEED expectations for offense instead of falling short of them on the 1st line.

Muckler is saying prices in general are too high, so I don't see him getting into the mix.

The question may be, "Gary, do you want to go to the Playoffs or not? If so, you can play with Crosby and Recchi in them."

Mad City Mike wrote:I apologize if I missed it in this long thread, but the Globe & Mail says it is Welch going the other way. I had seen his name mentioned, but I don't think it was sourced. If so, I apologize.

If we are trading a 23yr old for a 39 yr old, we are nuts. Sorry, but that is how I feel.

Mad City Mike wrote:I apologize if I missed it in this long thread, but the Globe & Mail says it is Welch going the other way. I had seen his name mentioned, but I don't think it was sourced. If so, I apologize.

If we are trading a 23yr old for a 39 yr old, we are nuts. Sorry, but that is how I feel.

If it is Welch, I still think it's an okay deal considering the market. Look at what guys like Tkachuk and Forsberg fetched and they're also rentals. Welch has not developed as expected and we have much better prospects already in the system. I'd sooner give up a guy like Welch for a rental than a 1st round pick, or even Letang at this point.

Roberts has missed some games this year, so his goals are down a little. Plus he's playing on the wreched Panthers. On Sid's wing he'd net at least 25-30 over a full season if he played 70-75 healthy games. Look what Croz has done for Rex's career!! If Croz can't bring Malone to life, nobody can. Maybe they have better barbers in Arizona.

Phoenix doesn't think so. He is sixth in average ice time amongst their dmen. A little more than 16 minutes a game. I'm intrigued because of the reputation, but why has he fallen so far out of favor with Gretzky?

RxBandit66 wrote:Well said, magnum. Gretzky is a poor coach. Maybe all the botox has taken a toll on him.

Anyway, Therrien could get more out of Boynton. Much more.

Definitely. He'd instantly be a Top 4 defenseman here. If nobody thinks that Boynton isn't at least an upgrade over Melichar, Scuderi, Nasrredine and Orpik then I might have to take up drinking Bong Water too.

I don't like giving up Welch for a rent-a-player. I do have some doubts as to whether or not he is the player in question. First, that would contradict the TSN report that said the Pens would be giving up a young roster player with potential. Welch isn't a roster player; he's in the minors. Second, Welch is hurt right now. He might very well be concussed, though WB officials have not characterized his injury as such.

I'd prefer EC to be the guy. I like him, but I don't see how he fits into the team long term. Moving him for Roberts would bump Malone to the ECs spot on LW with Talbot and Armstrong and that make the forwards better overall IMO.

Welch does still have a spot in the team's future plans IMO. And though this point will be largely missed by most people, Welch not being up here has more to do with contracts than his play, not that he's performed at an All-Star level to this point. Scuderi and Melichar are on one-way deals. Nasreddine is subject to waivers. Welch is on a two way and is exempt from waivers.

Welch was told by management coming in that due to his contract status, he would be shuttling back and forth.